10 Best Short Anime Films, Ranked

Anime stories span across various genres and styles. Among these, short anime films hold a special place. Compact yet impactful, these films distill the essence of storytelling into brief, often poignant experiences. From about 5 to 30 minutes, they challenge creators to deliver compelling narratives and character arcs within a limited timeframe.

This format has given rise to various extraordinary works, from visually stunning tales like Traveling Daru to the deeply emotional journey in Someone’s Gaze. In this collection, we delve into some of the best short anime films, each a unique entry that has left a lasting impression in the world of anime.

10 Kick-Heart (2013)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 6.41

Why Watch Kick-Heart?

• Distinctive artistic vision
• Playful love story in wrestling world

Kick-Heart is a 12-minute short film by Production I.G, known for his unique, vibrant animation style. The story revolves around two main characters, a professional wrestler named Maskman M and a nun named Sister Juliet. Maskman M, whose real name is Romeo, is a masked wrestler known for his villainous persona in the ring.

However, in reality, he is kind-hearted and secretly has feelings for Sister Juliet. The film stands out for its eccentric animation style, characterized by bold colors and an almost psychedelic quality. Moreover, Kick-Heart gained attention for being one of the first major anime projects successfully crowdfunded through Kickstarter.

9 Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek (2004)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 6.63

Why Watch Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek?

• Suspenseful soundtrack
• Dangerous version of hide and seek

Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek is a 24-minute Japanese short anime film known for its distinctive blend of horror and adventure set within a traditional game context. The story follows a group of children playing Otokoyo, a dangerous version of hide and seek, in an abandoned, demon-infested city. The main character, Hikora, joins the game hoping to find his missing sister, who disappeared while playing this game.

What sets Kakurenbo apart is its eerie atmosphere, achieved through dark visuals and a suspenseful soundtrack. The film combines traditional Japanese folklore elements, including spirits and demons, with a modern urban legend. The film subtly explores childhood fears and the consequences of ignoring warnings.

8 Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor (2007)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 6.66

Why Watch Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor?

• Thought-provoking
• Dark adaptation of Kafka’s story

Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor is a 20-minute short medical anime film that brings to life Kafka’s dark and surreal short story. The story is about a country doctor who, on a cold winter night, is summoned to visit a sick patient in a distant house.

The film stands out for its abstract animation style, perfectly encapsulating the dreamlike, nightmarish quality of Kafka’s story. The visuals are haunting and disjointed, with a color palette that enhances the sense of unease and surrealism. The narrative is driven by the doctor’s inner monologue, adding to the introspective and existential nature of the story.

7 Aquatic Language (2002)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 6.71

Why Watch Aquatic Language?

• People’s stories intertwine in a cafe
• Explores human communication

Aquatic Language, approximately 9 minutes in length, is an experimental short anime film directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura. The film is set in a cafe where various patrons’ conversations intertwine to create a tapestry of human interaction. The film places a greater emphasis on the dialogue and the subtleties of human communication.

These dialogues touch on various aspects of life, relationships, and the misunderstandings that often occur in everyday interactions. The title Aquatic Language alludes to the fluid, ever-changing nature of communication, much like water. This concept is visually represented through digital effects that mimic ripples and waves, symbolizing the flow and distortion of conversations.

6 Neo Tokyo (1987)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 7.06

Why Watch Neo Tokyo?

• Short individual stories
• Collaboration of different Directors

Neo Tokyo is a 48-minute Japanese anthology anime film released in 1987. It consists of three short anime segments, each 16 minutes long with a distinct style and storyline, directed by renowned directors Rintaro, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and Katsuhiro Otomo.

1. Labyrinth Labyrinthos: A visually imaginative piece by Rintaro that follows a young girl and her cat through a surreal, dream-like amusement park, blending fantasy and reality.
2. Running Man: Yoshiaki’s segment is notable for its intense, fast-paced narrative. It revolves around a deadly, futuristic car race and its champion driver, exploring obsession and the human psyche.
3. The Order to Stop Construction: Katsuhiro’s contribution is a dark comedic story about a corporate worker sent to shut down a rogue, automated construction project.

What makes Neo Tokyo stand out is its experimental approach to animation and storytelling. Each segment showcases different animation techniques and stories, ranging from surreal and whimsical to gritty and intense.

5 Cencoroll (2009)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 7.14

Why Watch Cencoroll?

• Mix of sci-fi, slice-of-life
• Special creature designs

Cencoroll, a 26-minute short anime film, stands out for its unique blend of science fiction and slice-of-life genres. The story unfolds in a contemporary Japanese town and revolves around a high school student, Tetsu, who has a peculiar pet named Cenco. Cenco is a shape-shifting creature with mysterious powers, a secret Tetsu tries to keep.

The plot thickens when a girl from Tetsu’s school, Yuki, discovers Cenco, and a new student with a similar creature appears, leading to a confrontation. The film’s distinction lies in its minimalistic approach with a small cast, a simple yet engaging storyline, and a focus on the interaction between the characters and their creatures.

4 Traveling Daru (2012)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 7.17

Why Watch Traveling Daru?

• Cute story
• Plush doll’s journey to find owner

Traveling Daru is a heartwarming 10-minute short anime film about a small, plush doll named Daru, who is separated from his owner, a little girl. The film follows Daru’s journey as he travels across various landscapes and environments, determined to reunite with her. Traveling Daru stands out because of its poignant storytelling, beautifully conveyed through its simple yet expressive animation.

The film is virtually dialogue-free, relying instead on visual storytelling and expressive music to convey Daru’s feelings and experiences. The animation is notable for its soft, storybook-like quality that gives a sense of warmth and charm to Daru’s adventure. The film touches on the bond between a child and their cherished toy.

3 Someone’s Gaze (2013)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 7.32

Why Watch Someone’s Gaze?

• Tale of growing up
• Explores complex family relationships

Someone’s Gaze, a short anime film by acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai, has a runtime of 6 minutes. The narrative centers on the evolving relationship between a young woman, Aya Okamura, and her father. The story delicately unfolds through the perspective of the family’s cat, Mii-san, serving as a silent witness to the family’s changing dynamics.

What makes this film stand out is its use of subtlety and emotion to tell a story about growing up, moving on, and the enduring bonds of family. Scenes such as Aya’s solitary life in the city and her father’s quiet loneliness at home are juxtaposed with memories of happier times, highlighting the bittersweet nature of change and the passage of time.

2 The House Of Small Cubes (2008)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.01

Why Watch The House Of Small Cubes?

• Touching story about life and memories
• Earned Award for Best Animated Short Film

The House of Small Cubes is a 12-minute short anime film that stands out for its poignant storytelling and beautiful, simplistic animation. The story unfolds in a world gradually submerged underwater, compelling people to build additional levels on their homes to stay above the waterline. The protagonist, an elderly man, lives in a house brimming with memories.

As the film progresses, he accidentally drops his favorite smoking pipe into the flooded lower levels of his home. Venturing underwater to retrieve it, he embarks on a nostalgic journey, revisiting the submerged rooms of his past. This unique setting and storytelling approach earned it critical acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

1 Shelter (2016)

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.31

Why Watch Shelter?

• One-of-a kind sci-fi concept
• Fusion of music and animation

Shelter is a 6-minute short anime film that #1 on this list as it masterfully weaves the fusion of music with animation. The film, a collaboration between Porter Robinson, Madeon, and A-1 Pictures, revolves around a 17-year-old girl named Rin. She lives alone in a virtual reality world, a vibrant and ever-changing environment that she can control and reshape with a tablet.

The narrative reveals that Rin is the sole survivor of a planetary catastrophe, with her father sending her into space in a single-occupant spacecraft for her safety. The virtual world is her solace and escape from solitude. The animation is beautifully rendered, featuring vivid colors and imaginative landscapes that reflect Rin’s emotions and memories.